A
family comedy about one-upsmanship, jealousy, clashing neighbors,
home decoration…and the true spirit of the holidays.
Steve (Matthew Broderick), a suburban dad and Christmas enthusiast,
leads a well-ordered, well-planned, and well-organized life.
His new neighbor, Danny (Danny DeVito), is Steve’s polar
opposite: a big personality with big dreams, which have yet
to materialize. But Danny’s latest dream -- to create
the biggest holiday light display in the world, visible from
outer space – is turning Steve’s disciplined world
into a chaotic nightmare. As Danny’s home explodes with
festive lights of incredible design, increasing complexity,
and exponentially-growing wattage, Steve becomes a man on
a mission. At any cost, he will thwart Danny – or top
him.

Movie
Review:

Have you prepare your list of “Things To Buy”
for the coming festive season? Turkey, presents, Christmas
tree, decorations, greeting cards and how about adding a pair
of “Deck the Halls” tickets to your list as well?

This
feel good comedy stars Matthew Broderick (Finch) and Danny
DeVito (Hall) as what else, two competitive neighbors trying
to outdo each other in the festive season. Finch is the old
school, Christmas loving folk whose Christmas antics is incurring
the wrath of his children and wife as the years go. Hall is
a car salesman by day and at night, he’s set to bombard
his house with massive amount of glowing Christmas decos so
that it will be visible from space.

It’s
the clash of the egos as these two grown-up men embark on
the silliest ways to get on each other nerves. Perhaps there
might be some truth to it that some men are willing to go
at lengths to outwit another guy in reality. You see, there
will always be someone around us making statements such as
“I suppose my new SUV is spacious than yours”
or “I’m sure my vintage Star Wars collection is
worth more than yours”. To the ladies, these might be
some generic harmless statements but definitely not to the
guys.

By
taking a step further, the screenwriters and director John
Whitesell (“Big
Momma House 2”) concoct a hilarious story plotline
(might be lame at times though) and most of all, a really
impressive display of technical abilities by the crew.

Because
of Hall’s inexorable appetite for more lights, the crew
has to build a LED video wall that wrapped around the house,
in addition the lights have to synchronize with George Clinton’s
soundtrack. An impressive feat which I feel our local authorities
might be interested to duplicate at Orchard Road.

“Deck
the Halls” will never be forgotten down the road, not
for winning the Oscars of course but for the simple Christmas
cheer and festive joys it dispensed in the movie. Next Christmas,
remember to include “Deck the Halls” dvd into
your shopping list or you can wait for the countless re-runs
on TV when it comes near to...Christmas time.

Movie Rating:

(If you look forward to soak in the Christmas mood every year,
you will enjoy “Deck the Halls”)